Labour Party proposes voting reform to lower voting age to 16 across the United Kingdom

07/21/2025 / By Laura Harris

The Labour Party has proposed lowering the voting age from 18 to 16 for all U.K.-wide elections, including general, local, mayoral and Police and Crime Commissioner contests, aligning with practices in Scotland and Wales.
The plan includes expanding accepted voter ID to include U.K.-issued bank cards and digital versions of driver’s licences and veterans’ cards via a new GOV app.
A new digital certificate will be introduced to streamline registration, reduce paper use and improve processing times through updated tools for Electoral Registration Officers.
Conservative MPs and the NSPCC oppose the reform, arguing it’s inconsistent to let 16-year-olds vote while still legally classifying them as children, unable to marry, buy alcohol or stand for election.
Opponents, including Reform U.K. leader Nigel Farage, have accused Labour of “gerrymandering” and trying to rig the system, despite potential benefits to their own party from younger voter turnout.

The Labour Party has unveiled plans to extend the right to vote to 16- and 17-year-olds in all U.K.-wide elections to modernize their electoral system and align it with devolved governments in Scotland and Wales.

According to the proposed reform, voting age would be lowered from 18 to 16, granting younger citizens the right to vote in general elections, local government contests, mayoral races and Police and Crime Commissioner elections. To be eligible to vote under the proposal, individuals must be registered to vote; aged 16 or over on polling day; a British, Irish or qualifying Commonwealth citizen; have the legal right to remain in the U.K. (or Channel Islands/Isle of Man); resident in the U.K. or registered as an overseas voter; not be legally excluded from voting and present valid identification.

The Labour Party also plans to expand the list of accepted identification documents. Proposed new forms of valid ID include U.K.-issued bank cards and digital versions of driver’s licenses and veterans’ cards, all accessible through a newly developed GOV app. (Related: UK says voters need ID to ensure election integrity – will Democrats call Brits racist?)

Additionally, a digital Voter Authority Certificate will be introduced to streamline registration and reduce reliance on printed documents. Electoral registration officers will be equipped with updated tools to issue certificates digitally, supporting faster delivery and lowering operational costs.

“For too long, public trust in our democracy has been damaged and faith in our institutions has been allowed to decline. We are taking action to break down barriers to participation that will ensure more people have the opportunity to engage in U.K. democracy, supporting our Plan for Change and delivering on our manifesto commitment to give 16-year-olds the right to vote.

We cannot take our democracy for granted, and by protecting our elections from abuse and boosting participation, we will strengthen the foundations of our society for the future,” Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said during the announcement of the new voting legislation.

Conservative MPs, child welfare advocates criticize proposed voting reform

The proposed reform has drawn sharp criticism from Conservative MPs and child welfare advocates alike.

For instance, the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) noted that 16- and 17-year-olds are still considered children under both U.K. and international law.

“Why does this Government think a 16-year-old can vote but not be allowed to buy a lottery ticket, an alcoholic drink, marry or go to war or even stand in the elections they’re voting in? Isn’t the government’s position on the age of majority just hopelessly confused?” Conservative MP Paul Holmes said in questioning the rationale. Another Conservative MP described the policy as “shameless gerrymandering,” arguing that if Labour does not believe 16-year-olds are legal adults, they should not be shaping the future of the nation at the ballot box.

Reform Party leader Nigel Farage, a vocal opponent of the measure, accused Labour of attempting to “rig the political system” while ironically acknowledging that his party could benefit from the expanded youth vote. “It’s an attempt to rig the political system, but we intend to give them a nasty surprise. I don’t think you should be able to vote in an election unless you’re also eligible to be a candidate.”

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This video is from the Paul Davis UnCancelled channel on Brighteon.com.